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Cars used by Presidents of the United States

Vehicles of the presidents of the United States of America on display at Henry Ford museum.

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Theodore Roosevelt’s Brougham

26th president of the United States preferred to use a horse-drawn carriage instead of automobiles for public appearances. Theodore Roosevelt’s Circa 1902 Brougham wasn’t custom built for a president – it was just a carriage favored by wealthy people. This type of a carriage was in use from 1902 to 1928.

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1932 Lincoln Sunshine Special

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1939 Lincoln Sunshine Special was designed and built as a special vehicle for a president. The car was equipped with heavy duty suspension and powered by V-12, 414 cubic inches engine, which generates 150 horsepower. The president’s car has special compartment behind front seats for firearms. In 1942, the Lincoln was upgraded with steel armor plating, bullet-resistant glass, and bullet resistant tubes in tires. Back doors of the car hinged at rear for making easier to get the president in and out. Chassis of this car was made by Ford Motor Company, Detroit, MI and body of the vehicle was made by Brunn & Co, Buffalo, NY. This vehicle was in use from 1939 to 1950 and originally cost $8,350.

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Dwight D Eisenhower 1950 Lincoln Bubbletop

34th president of the United States had a limousine with a removable Plexiglas top over the back seat. It allowed Eisenhower to see and be seen in any weather. 1950 Lincoln Bubbletop has folding bug shield and rear platform for Secret Service agents. Ten Lincoln Limousines were made in Dearborn, MI by Ford Motor Company and customized by Dietrich Creative Industries, Grand Rapids, MI originally cost $500,000 and were in use from 1950 to 1967. This Lincoln is powered by 336.7 cubic inches V-8 engine which generates 152 horsepower. The vehicle weight 6,500 pounds.

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President Kennedy 1961 Lincoln Limousine

In November 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in a four-door convertible Lincoln. At that time, the modern vehicle used by the president, had enlarged heating and air conditioning system. Rear seat could be hydraulically raised. 1961 Lincoln powered by 430 cubic inches V-8 engine which produces 350 horsepower. The vehicle was equipped with two-way radio-telephones, one with an encoding “scrambler”.
After Kennedy’s assassination, Secret Service took serious steps to improve the president’s cars for better protection. In 1964 the vehicle was rebuilt, and the refreshed car had permanent armored steel top, bullet-proof glass on fixed windows, armored steel body, and gas tank was filled with urethane plastic foam called “Safom” which minimized the risk of explosion, if bullets were fired into the fuel tank.
In 1967 the vehicle was modified for a second time. Reconstructed rear doors allowed window glass to be lowered. Trunk lid, dented by President Johnson was reinforced.
During Nixon presidency a special trap door was cut into a roof, so president could poke upper body through and wave to crowds.
Original cost of this vehicle is $195,000, and it was in use from 1961 to 1977.

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President Reagan 1972 Lincoln

Fully armored president’s limousine with bullet-proof glass used by Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. The right side of a vehicle was repaired because of damages after shooting at President Ronald Reagan. This 1972 Lincoln weight 13,000 pounds and powered by 460 cubic inches V-8 engine which generates 214 horsepower. Original cost of the vehicle is $500,000. This vehicle was in use from 1972 to 1992 by many presidents.
This car feature sunroof panel which opens and allow two people to stand up. The vehicle equipped with PA system for president to be heard without leaving the car.